Pontins owner charged with corporate manslaughter over woman's death

The Guardian

15-04-2025

The owner of Pontins holiday parks has been charged with corporate manslaughter after part of a ceiling collapsed six years ago on to guests at a bar, one of whom died months later in hospital.
Eighteen people were injured at the Brean Sands site in Somerset in February 2019 after a 40-metre section of structural ducting and ceiling fell inside an entertainment area and exposed live electrics.
Wendy Jones, 68, was among six guests taken to hospital for treatment after the incident, and she died that August.
Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service said at the time that it had been called to reports of a section of ducting collapsing into the bar area of the holiday park's entertainment centre, known as the 'Fun Factory'.
About 100 people were in the hall to play bingo when the incident happened, according to a BBC report.
On Tuesday, Avon and Somerset police said the Crown Prosecution Service had authorised a charge of corporate manslaughter against the parent company of Pontins, Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd.
Stephen Bennison, a contractor from Farington in Lancashire, has been charged with an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The defendants are due to appear before Bristol magistrates court on 6 May.
The charges come after a joint investigation by police and Somerset council.
Det Supt Roger Doxsey, of Avon and Somerset police, said: 'First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of Wendy Jones. We have updated them of the CPS's charging decisions.
'This has been a complex investigation and we're grateful for the support of Somerset council and other partners to reach this stage. We would like to remind the public that every defendant in the UK is permitted to a fair trial. No commentary, materials or details should be published that could prejudice this court process while proceedings are ongoing.'